Tombstone epitaph., 1887-10-29

"Well, you can nave ail my stock at S3. but Twill give you threc days in which to back out. You can take 1t all or no. in the meantime. "a
 The next day Jack came home very much excited. His friend was out some. where. Jack ran into the sitting room where tho girls were, and was evidently much perturbed.
 ssWhot is the matterq' inquired Marian, looking up from her embroidery frame, Ut which she was killing time.
 'iMatteri It's O case of So near and yet so far You heard me talking with Elmore about the Ojibway stock yester
 HYcs."
 .iWell, they've struck the vein they were after Not doubt of it. Tho strec, is full of the news. Shares have jumped up to seventeen, and not to be had al that. If Braxton had closed with me yestertlayi but now it would be asking; toolmuch.,'e at
 .I should think it would be!' replied Marian, dryly. Shc was feeling Q pros- pectivc interest in the BraXton profits.
 "Didn't he give you refusal for three daysS" asked Margaret, looking up from book which sho was reading.
 "Ycs; but no papers passed, and"-
 'His word was passed," rctortcd Margaret. ''..Mr. Braxton is man of honor, and you'll get your stock"
 ."sYou're too good to live in this sinful world," sneered Marian. Do you expect q nan to throw away so much money on the ground of Q dinner table tallzs'
 'T expect n man to keep his word, Marian. He told Jack that hc had three days to takc tho stock, at 80, or not. Ii he were to break his word because he will losc by 1t should despiso hirn."
 "Much he cares for that, Peg" retorted Marian. ft+
 Tho bell rang, and presently Braxtop sauntercd into the room.
 'Have you heard the news about Ojib- wayi'' inquired Jack.
 s'Yes. It is all right" replied Brax- ton. "I congratulate you. If you sell at present prices-and I advise you not tc wait for further rise-you'll clear over S20O, ,0O0"
 "Do you mean to say that I can have the block at three?"
 "That was our understanding yester. day, thought"
 ''It seems," said Jack, hesitatingly, ''ike giving me these proflts."
 "Nothing of the kind. It is Q plain business transaction, and you arc lucky. I loso nothing. My father got tho stock at $1 during its lowest cbb. And then you know, ono ought to do something for |, a-prOspective brother-in-law." "Well," murmured Marian to herself, ''that is the most extraordinary way ot popping the question" But she smiled.
 "Brother-in-lawv' cried Jack. And <1o for af l,o,, lower over her book.
 "That is, with your permission, Jack, my boy. This young lady," taking tEc unresisting hand of Margaret, who blushed very red, "has given her consent, and
 Jack whistled. "Sly pussn' said he. she is so young yet"
 "SheM grow out of that; won't you, Maggie dearP' said Braxton, laughing. s"rherc is one comfort" exclaimed Marian, who had regained her self pos session-'shc will not marry that dread full tramp, anyhow"
 .' ''f fear you will be disappointed, Miss Darlington" replied the lover. "I happen to be that dreadful tramp myself"
 "Your'
 'tNo other than I. did not remain in the mountains on that tour your brother spoke of the other day, and finally struck your neighborhood, though did not linow that, where was beaten and plundcrcd by the two more disreputablo travellers. sent Margaret's money back, or rather its equivalent. I never knew who shn was, and never thought to inquire. l only recollect her as pretty and sympa- thetic child Rut when vOr SDoSe Of Misc Ugly, and told the story, why began to make acquaintance with my benefactress, and fell in love with her. Last night she was good enough to consent to guard me against tramps in the future. And for proot-ecce signum, Jack, my Eoyl'
 And Braxton, drawing q small morocco case from his vest pocket, opened it. There, on bed of velvet, lay Q singlo gold eagle.-Thomas Dunn English in Harper's Bazaar. -